Beginning next September, West Credit Secondary School will host the Peel District School Board’s first Regional Skilled Trades program.
The hands-on program provides experiential learning and career exploration opportunities while preparing students to meet demand for skilled trades labour force.
By 2030, Colleges Ontario predicts the province will face a skilled trades shortage of more than 500,000 workers.
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“In Peel, we’re committed to ensuring that every student receives high-quality education with many opportunities to achieve their personal goals, and build on their strengths and interests,” said Adrian Graham, superintendent of curriculum and instruction support services.
“This is why we’re excited to expand the number of Regional Learning Choices Programs offered and try to help meet the growing demand for skilled trades workers.”
Students in the Regional Skilled Trades program can choose to specialize in a number of trades preparation courses, including: construction technology green industries and manufacturing technology.
“We’re excited to open our doors to students from across the Peel Region and to showcase the importance of the skilled trades,” said Crissa Hill, principal of West Credit Secondary School. “Our facility is truly unique and features 12 different industry standard specialized technology education shops which will prepare our students with the skills, tools and training they need for apprenticeships, work and college pathways.”
By partnering with industry partners and colleges, the Regional Skilled Trades graduates will gain hands-on skills and sector-specific certifications required for success in apprenticeships, college and the workplace.
Regional Learning Choices Programs (RLCP) empower students by providing an opportunity to develop and explore skills in a particular area of interest. The Peel board provides secondary students from across Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon with 11 different regional programs. The entry point for all RLCP programs is grade 9 and are open to all eligible students.
To learn more, visit www.peelschools.org/regionalprograms.
